The best RAM frequency. RAM

For modern games to run faster, a computer needs not only a good graphics card, processor and corresponding motherboard, but also a sufficient amount of RAM. What is it for? In current games, there are very large locations with a considerable number of objects that are stored in the RAM. If there is not enough RAM, the game will access the slow HDD, and this, in turn, can cause freezes.

Corridor shooters may not require a lot of memory, but if you are playing large-scale RTS or FPS games, that changes things. For example, the manufacturer recommends using 16GB of RAM or higher to play Battlefield 1. Those who want to take full advantage of the new platform based on Z370 or X299 chipsets can familiarize themselves with our selection of modules and choose the option that suits their needs. If you have not yet decided how much RAM you need, use ours.

The best DDR4 kits under 10,000 rubles

Kingston is one of the oldest memory manufacturers on the market. Its HyperX brand is geared towards gamers and its products meet high quality standards. No wonder the memory kit comes with a lifetime warranty. Of course, this is not the cheapest option, but it fits into the budget up to 10,000 rubles.

The operating memory frequency of this model is the lowest at 2133 MHz, but we will not tolerate this as a disadvantage: our extended tests have proven more than once that a higher RAM speed does not give a big performance boost in games. However, overclocking fans can easily increase the nominal frequencies up to 3000 MHz through the motherboard UEFI BIOS.

Price: about 9,500 rubles (a set of 4 strips of 4 GB each)

Best DDR4 RGB Kits

LED illumination of RAM modules heatsinks has long been in trend, and the ability to synchronize the glow between all modules was only a matter of time. In the case of memory G.Skill Trident Z RGB Series 16GB DDR4 3000 this is done through special software by adjusting the color in five backlight zones. Also, the backlight can be synchronized with the ASUS Aura Sync LED-glow.

Overclockers will be able to overclock the memory from the base frequency (2133 MHz by default) to 3200 MHz, while maintaining low latencies. You can take advantage of support for XMP profiles, and the most persistent can increase the frequency to 3600 MHz and higher, if necessary. In an overclocked state, the increase in the speed of data read / write increases significantly.

Price: about 19,000 rubles (a set of 4 strips of 4 GB each)

Best mid-range DDR4 kits

The modules speak for themselves when it comes to the trade-off between affordable cost, stable performance, and quality performance. The price for a set of 4 8 GB slats is quite competitive in online stores, while the performance parameters of this set are at a very good level.

The sixth place for ours for the Intel platform is the same set, but there are two bars. Even without overclocking, this RAM performs well in benchmarks. The maximum frequency to which we were able to overclock this kit was 3400 MHz, with an increase in voltage to 1.4 V. With a more aggressive approach, you can achieve more.

Price: about 26,000 rubles (a set of 4 strips of 8 GB each)

Best High-End DDR4 Kits

Since its founding in 1994, Corsair has continued to impress gamers and enthusiasts with its products, both in the peripheral market and in the gaming RAM niche. The Dominator Platinum RAM series was introduced back in 2012, and its features migrated to the latest DDR4 modules. For example, DHX cooling with powerful aluminum radiators.

When installing four strips next to each other, you can install additional cooling on them in the form of a cooler unit, which is located on the four edges of the radiator modules. Although we did not abuse overclocking, this memory was stretched on our test system up to 3400 MHz with C15 timings.

Price: about 35,000 rubles (a set of 4 strips of 8 GB each)

Best DDR4 Kits: Alternatives

Laptops are mobile computers that have recently become more popular than classic personal computers and monoblocks. There is nothing surprising in this, because the user receives a comparable in power, transportable device on the principle of "all-in-one". There is already a webcam, a Wi-Fi transmitter, and Bluetooth. Laptops are also much more convenient than regular PCs. And some of them can even be "upgraded" (improved). This is what will be discussed. Specifically, which one would be preferable for a laptop. What should you pay attention to when buying a "RAM"?

Difference between DDR3 and DDR2

Basically, DDR3 is already a rather outdated standard. But most devices still use it, as the fourth version is not so common. The main difference between the "troika" and the previous generation is the speed of work. this standard shows miracles in performance compared to its "progenitors". And the operating frequencies have increased significantly, which could not but affect the speed. But the main difference is in timing and optimization. At the moment, DDR3 is the most productive "RAM" (except for the "four"). That is why laptop RAM is DDR3. And no other.

It is also worth considering that there is a difference between memory modules for a stationary PC and a laptop, which is expressed in the size of the module itself and the working microcircuits. Therefore, the "laptop" version of memory, as a rule, is somewhat weaker than the "full-size" one. But this is not so important. So what do you need to know to choose the right component for your DDR3 laptop? Let's consider the required characteristics.

What to look for when buying memory?

When choosing a memory module, you should focus on the frequency range and volume supported by your motherboard. You can find out all the information about the board using the AIDA64 program. Laptop RAM DDR3 4GB (or more) may not be suitable for your machine in terms of frequencies. Although, if we take into account modern laptops, then there should be no problems with this parameter. The usual operating frequency of the simplest "RAM" is 1066 megahertz. But this is far from the limit. It often happens that such restrictions are conditional. The memory can easily work at 1333 megahertz.

It is also important to know the maximum amount of RAM that can be installed in your laptop. The standard volume for budget devices is 16 gigabytes. If you are going to install two modules (and dual-channel mode is always better) with a total volume of 8 Gigabytes, then a prerequisite - DDR3 4 GB RAM for a laptop must be from the same manufacturer (both modules). Otherwise, a conflict of components is possible. You also need to remember that it will not work to put a memory module with its own heatsink into budget laptops. So you shouldn't overpay. Now let's look at the best options from the most famous manufacturers.

Kingston ValueRAM 8GB DDR3

This is a good memory module, clocked at 1600 megahertz. This explains its relatively high cost. But this operational DDR3 will provide unrealistic performance for your machine. Especially two of these modules working in dual channel mode. The memory can even withstand "overclocking". And this is its main advantage. Many also choose these memory modules for their exceptional reliability. It is known that this RAM can survive a lot.

Kingston 4GB DDR3 PC3-10600

RAM for laptop DDR3 - 1333 megahertz. Moreover, this budget module can be used in the cheapest models. It fits seamlessly into even the most sophisticated chassis and is capable of smooth operation of any operating system. However, this module is not enough for demanding games. And the volume is too small - only 4 gigabytes. Even with two similar modules, the total volume will be only 8 gigabytes, which is very small for modern games. But for the work of such a module for the eyes is enough.

Corsair Mac Memory 4GB DDR3 PC3-8500

RAM for laptop DDR3 - 1066 megahertz. Probably the cheapest module of all existing ones. Its cost probably matches its operating frequency - 1066 megahertz. This RAM can only be used in older laptops. Of course, it can be installed in new models, but instead of an increase in productivity, the user will receive a decrease in performance. For the operating frequencies vary greatly. So, the target audience of this module is the owners of outdated machines who use their laptops exclusively for work.

Kingston HyperX Impact 8GB DDR3 PC3-17000

But this is the "coolest" RAM for a DDR3 laptop. Its peculiarity lies in the operating frequency. It is as much as 2133 megahertz. This is an absolute record in the world of mobile computers. It is not surprising that such a module costs a lot of money. Its 8 gigabyte capacity is enough for everything. Especially if you install two such modules and make the RAM work in dual-channel mode. The performance gains will be fantastic. If the video card allows, then launching modern toys will not be difficult.

Conclusion

DDR3 laptop RAM is now the most common memory type in the world of mobile computers. These modules can operate at an unrealistically high frequency, are capable of an impressive volume and show themselves perfectly when working in multichannel mode. The range of modules is quite extensive. It includes both budget low-frequency models and expensive "bars" with a high operating frequency and overclocking capability. The choice of a particular model entirely depends on the user and his financial capabilities.

The choice of RAM depends on many different factors. First of all, you should understand for what purposes the computer will be used and with what programs, applications or games it will have to work.

When you decide to upgrade your computer's RAM, you are faced with one of two tasks: either you need to increase the amount of RAM you already have, or you need to make the RAM itself work faster.

We can increase the amount of RAM by installing an additional RAM module or replacing the previously installed ones with modules with a larger capacity. However, with such a replacement, there are some important circumstances to be considered.

When you are faced with the question - which RAM to choose? It should be remembered that RAM works together with the central processor, therefore, how fast the data exchange rate between them will be, the performance indicators of your entire system will be high. Moreover, the processor speed by default is significantly higher than the speed of RAM, which means that we must make the memory work at maximum performance indicators.

We will give some tips on how to choose the right RAM, and before that we will introduce you to the main parameters and characteristics that you should pay attention to before buying a new RAM.

Choosing the amount of RAM

Volume / capacity (measured in gigabytes) - a parameter that indicates the physical volume of the memory module, that is, the space for storing information. The basic rule that should be followed when choosing a certain amount of RAM is the system requirements and recommendations provided by the manufacturers of the software that you are going to install on your computer.

It will be very useful to make an approximate list of programs, and be sure to take into account the type of operating system you are going to install when compiling. Further down the list, you should select the peak (upper values \u200b\u200bof the recommended and minimum memory sizes). You should always install RAM with a margin, and the recommended system requirements should be lower than the amount of your RAM.

Next, we will offer you the optimal amount of RAM for your home computer, depending on your needs. The volume of 2 GB will be quite sufficient for an office computer. 4 GB is the average optimal size for a multimedia computer. 4 GB and above - sufficient for avid gamers or for people involved in graphics or video processing.

An important point is that RAM working in dual-channel mode, using two strips at the same time, will always work faster than using one or three. Similarly, it would be more expedient to install three or six RAM strips on a three-channel system.

Clock speed is an important characteristic when choosing RAM

The clock frequency (measured in megahertz) is a measure of the operating frequency of the RAM module, that is, the frequency with which the central processor and RAM are exchanging data. This indicator depends on the type of memory (which will be mentioned below), however, RAM of the same type has different clock rates, which must be taken into account before choosing RAM. Then everything is simple - out of two modules with the same volume, you should choose the one with a higher clock frequency.

At the same time, be sure to take into account the factor that if you choose a memory strip to supplement an existing one, then a new module should be selected with the same frequency as the already installed RAM. The point here is that the system chooses the lowest frequency of the two proposed for operation. Therefore, by installing a module with a lower frequency, on the contrary, we will slow down the computer. And vice versa, by installing the module with a higher frequency, we will not get absolutely any improvement in the system operation.

RAM type

Type / type - currently the market is represented by the following types of memory: DDR, DDR2 and DDR3.

DDR is considered obsolete today and is practically not used anywhere except in old computers. This module has 184 pins and its standard supply voltage is 2.5 V.

The most common type today is DDR2. Unlike the previous type, which fetches 2 bits of data per clock cycle, DDR2 makes 4 bits of data per clock cycle. DDR2 has 240 pins and a 1.8V supply.

DDR3 - A new type of RAM. It allows you to sample already 8 bits of information in one working cycle. It, like the previous generation of modules, has 240 pins, but the supply voltage is already less and is only 1.5 V. This allows reducing power consumption by up to 40% compared to DDR2 power consumption. This metric is very useful for mobile systems and laptops.

Before choosing RAM, you should first determine the type of memory supported by your motherboard. At the same time, modules of different types have different form factors, so a module of one type cannot be installed in a slot intended for another. This is precisely what protects the motherboard from accidental damage due to insufficient education in matters of completing computer components.

Latency / Timings

Latency / timing's - the time delay of signals, which is necessary for the execution of a particular command (zeroing, writing, rewriting, etc.) Before deciding which RAM to choose, you need to find out the timings on each of the offered RAM. Then, on the basis of "less is better", choose the one that has the least delays.

However, be sure to keep in mind that a memory module with a high clock frequency often has higher latencies than a RAM with a low clock frequency. Therefore, here everyone decides for himself what is more important for him.

Depending on the application, we will have different performance gains. In some, it will grow due to lower latencies, in others, on the contrary, due to a higher clock frequency. That is, here it is better to find a compromise solution and purchase an average module with standard latency, even if it is not high-speed, but you will save money and also get a stable system operation.

Choosing a RAM manufacturer

Manufacturer / brand - at the moment the choice of RAM is a rather difficult task, since this market segment is represented by a huge number of manufacturers. Therefore, as in matters of purchasing other components for a personal computer, the choice should be stopped at those manufacturers who have been on the computer components market for more than one year and who have proven themselves well before. Among them, we highlight the following manufacturers: Transcend, Samsung, Kingston, Corsar, OCZ Technology, Hynix, Hyndai, Patriot and others.

Of course, the choice of a particular memory module is based on your personal needs and goals. So, almost every manufacturer has "overclocked" RAM, which have an increased operating frequency and increased supply voltage, which causes more heat generation. In order to dissipate this excess heat, these types of modules are additionally equipped with heat sinks.

Don't waste your money on buying RAM from unknown manufacturers. Here there is a risk of saving money, but as a result of the instability of the system, and, in addition, significantly reduce the performance of the computer.

So, let's summarize and once again note for ourselves the parameters that should be paid attention to before choosing RAM: its volume (selected in accordance with the expected tasks that your system will have to cope with), the type of RAM, clock frequency ( depends on the type), latency (latency), and, of course, the manufacturer.

Doubting which RAM to choose? Can't determine the type of RAM your motherboard supports? Not sure how much RAM will suit your needs better? Our experts will always help you with your choice. In addition, you can order the installation of new RAM in the system unit or laptop (netbook) from us.

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